Uvidime: February 2008

Yesterday...

Yesterday brought South Korea a new president, Mr. Lee, and snow. Mr. Lee plans to make SK the 7th strongest economy in the world and improve relations with the North once they dismantle the bomb. The snow plans to melt today and make way for spring. I have high hopes for spring. It will mean getting out of the city, away from the piles of garbage and scattered trash that plasters my neighborhood (or the hood by the looks of it). It will mean I don't have to wear three shirts and two jackets everyday. It will mean a lot of great things. As for Mr. Lee? It will take him a little more time.

Valentines

On February 14, girls give boys candy
On March 14, boys give girls candy
On April 14, single people have to eat black noodles

I don't think this culture celebrates the singletons, much.

Lunar New Year

February 7th was New Year, welcoming us into the year of the rat.

It's a family focused celebration, where the young bow to their dead ancestors and receive money. They eat rice cake and soup, visit temples and leave flowers at the cemetaries. It's not the firework and parades you see on the news.

New Years day I went to Beomosa Temple, walking the 40 or so minutes through the forest instead of taking yet another bus. Locals took off their shoes and prayed at the Buddah shrines. I took pictures.

After, when returning to the subway, a mass of thousands of people we're walking up and down one road. The people walking up were somber, those going down were shopping at a variety of street venders and makeshift food stalls (mostly being silk worm larva and flesh on a stick). Where did this road go? So,I went to to find myself at the cemetary. Me and 10,000 of my best friends.

It's odd, though, how often I am the only foreigner around when there are so many here.

Busan

Busan is the worlds 5th largest port and South Korea's second largest city. It is reminiciant of San Francisco with its varied fish markets, harbors, boat building, parks, and bridges, San Diego for the beaches, LA for the movies and fashion. I spent six days there over the New Year break and spent most of it wondering why I didn't find a job down this way. Beachside.